- A master's degree in Political Science, Public Administration, Business Administration, or a related field. Equivalent experience paired with a bachelor’s degree may be acceptable in cases of exceptional leadership history and results.
- Five (5) years of progressively responsible public sector experience. This should include substantial experience in cross-departmental collaboration, community engagement, budgeting, and strategic planning.
- Within this experience, a minimum of 3–5 years at a senior leadership level (e.g., Department Director, Assistant City Manager, or equivalent) is highly desirable. During this time, the candidate should have demonstrated the ability to lead diverse teams, influence policy development, and serve as a trusted advisor.
- A track record of supervising mid- to large-size teams, fostering organizational culture, and leading innovation initiatives aligns well with Brookings’ vision.
- Demonstrated strength in executing complex projects to completion is essential.
- Experience with mobilizing teams, evaluating initiatives with a critical eye, and supporting others in achieving success is highly desirable.
- Knowledge and experience relating to the principles, practices, and techniques of public administration.
- Knowledge of finance, budgeting, accounting, forecasting, and planning.
- Valid Driver’s license
- Must be legally authorized to work in the United States; this position does not support visa sponsorship.
Job Summary
The Deputy City Manager reports to and works collaboratively with the City Manager on both external and internal matters. This role is crucial for implementing the City’s strategic direction, enhancing cross-departmental coordination, and strengthening community relationships. The Deputy City Manager also serves as Acting City Manager when necessary and takes on a leadership role in strategic initiatives, including economic development and intergovernmental affairs. In doing so, this position exemplifies Brookings’ commitment to providing a high quality of life through exceptional services, proactive initiatives, and solutions. Demonstrate a strong commitment to seeing initiatives through to completion, while also being able to evaluate, support, and mobilize people and ideas to advance the City’s goals.
City Culture and Leadership Philosophy
At the City of Brookings, we believe “what we do is bigger than us.” The Deputy City Manager is expected to lead by example, demonstrating our core values of integrity, accountability, and innovation while supporting a welcoming, respectful, and responsive public service culture. This role promotes staff empowerment, continual learning, and an environment where leadership is practiced through listening, collaboration, and action. The Deputy City Manager will model perseverance, inspire coordinated effort, offer sound judgment, and provide hands-on support to empower teams and carry projects across the finish line.
Major Duties (Essential Functions)
- Serve as an executive partner to the City Manager, leading assigned departments and cross-functional teams in executing the City\’s mission, vision, and values.
- Represent the City in high-level collaborations with boards, commissions, agencies, and private/public stakeholders.
- Foster a culture of empowerment, inclusiveness, and accountability by supporting staff through guidance, encouragement, and removing barriers to action; champion new initiatives with energy and clarity of purpose.
- Leads assigned projects with a persistent focus on execution and completion; collaborates with department heads to identify obstacles and ensure tangible results; follows through on commitments to improve performance and outcomes.
- Serves as a manager for a variety of technical, confidential, and/or complex special projects, programs, goals, services, and develops public policy for the advancement of the City; makes recommendations for improvement where warranted.
- Serves as liaison, point of contact, provides strategic and operational guidance, and/or supervision for departments/divisions determined and assigned by and for the City Manager.
- Leads organizational improvement measures with disciplined follow-through; applies discernment to vet ideas and technologies, and galvanizes teams to implement impactful change. Reviews and analyzes city policies, operating practices, and procedures as assigned. Conducts research and develops recommendations on City-wide work methods, operating policies and procedures, programs, services, and other administrative duties; observes program operations; analyzes findings and implications.
Serves as City Management Representative on the Development Review Team to include accountability, leadership direction, facilitating policy and work product development, and promoting fluidity in the development process. - Serves as Budget Manager to include the facilitation, preparation, and development of the annual operating budget, budget in brief, and 10-Year Capital Improvement Plan.
- Serves as the City’s Intergovernmental Affairs Coordinator, to include tracking legislation and providing recommendations to the City Manager, serves as the City Manager’s designee on various intergovernmental and advisory boards, commissions, and councils, and facilitates projects, programs, and services with intergovernmental agencies and departments.
- Progress the City’s strategic initiatives, including the economic development master plan.
- Coordinates, investigates/researches issues, drafts responses, and provides follow-up to resolve citizen inquiries or concerns.
- Ensures executional excellence by developing realistic work plans, following through on deliverables, and addressing implementation gaps in a timely and proactive manner.
- Reviews city council agenda packet items, including, but not limited to, resolutions, ordinances, action items, research memos, and reports.
- Leads, serves, and/or facilitates on an as-needed basis on various employee committees working on specialized cross-departmental projects, programs, and initiatives.
Serve as a member on the City’s Leadership Team. - Serve as Acting City Manager in the absence of the City Manager.